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Warning on Suspension Swaping

Well I got my WBBB out for it's first trial at the park the other day and learned something I thought I should share. The day I got my new hammock I swapped the suspension out for whoopie slings following the directions on Warbonnet's website. Let me just say the directions are great and easy to follow.

I got the hammock up, and as soon as I sat down I heard a tearing sound so I jumped out. It turns out that the whoopie sling had not tightened around the hammock material and had slipped when I put my weight on it. This is entirely my fault and is not a reflection on Warbonnet at all. A warning to everyone is to double check that your whoopies are correctly attached to the WBBB and give them a firm tug to tighten around the hammock material before getting inside the hammock. My suspension ended up only attached to the binding loop that the whoopie sling is inserted through before being wrapped around the hammock material so I ripped the binding loop free and also ripped a bit of the netting and body material. I ended up ordering another WBBB while I attempt some repairs on this one. Lesson learned and thought it might help others avoid this mistake.

I switch around the various suspensions I have among several hammocks routinely. My fear is that I will get lackadaisical and not tighten the suspension around the hammock end and it slip off. Thanks for the reminder to be vigilant.

Good advice Nelson. I have a habit of doing a Final Safety Check before I load my hammock. Something I picked up doing rope rescue work. One always does a FSC before actually loading ones weight on the rappelling gear- actually before stepping out onto the edge. It is a good idea to do with our hammocks too. Make sure the toggle/whoopie sling arrangement is safe and make sure your anchors are secure. Also, double check for widow makers and for fire ant piles below your hammock.....(just dont ask)

"Live your life so that your children can tell their children that you not only stood for something wonderful- you acted on it"
-Dan Zadra

That's too bad. It's good advice any time you get into a hammock. Many a hanger have fallen because they did not check their suspension before getting in. On the bright side, you have a spare now. Always good to have an extra for friends or even if something happens to your primary hammock.

The hammock is so comfy the last thing I want is to feel pain by falling out of it! I'm in the habit of grabbing the hammock and leaning my weight into it to make sure the cords are gripping the hammock fabric tight. After I've been in it a few times they lock right up and it's not so much a concern.

Good advice Nelson. I have a habit of doing a Final Safety Check before I load my hammock. Something I picked up doing rope rescue work. One always does a FSC before actually loading ones weight on the rappelling gear- actually before stepping out onto the edge. It is a good idea to do with our hammocks too. Make sure the toggle/whoopie sling arrangement is safe and make sure your anchors are secure. Also, double check for widow makers and for fire ant piles below your hammock.....(just dont ask)

Heh heh. Sorry...

We don't have fire ants, and I was so tired I thought the ants nesting nearby are alright. They were EVERYWHERE in the morning, except in the hammock and inside my waterproof bags.